41-47 Wisteria St., Perth Amboy, N.J. (732) Fr. George Parsenios. The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior

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1 Page1 St. Demetrios Parish Newsletter December Wisteria St., Perth Amboy, N.J. (732) Fr. George Parsenios DECEMBER 2016 RELIGIOUS CALENDAR Dec 4th Epistle St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5 Γαλάτας 3:23-29, 4:1-5 Gospel Luke 13:10-17 Λουκᾶν 13:10-17 Dec 11th Epistle St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11 Κολοσσαεῖς 3:4-11 Gospel Luke 14:16-24 Λουκᾶν 14:16-24 Dec 18th Epistle St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; Ἑβραίους 11:9-10, Gospel Matthew 1:1-25 Ματθαῖον 1:1-25 Dec 25th Epistle St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:4-7 Γαλάτας 4:4-7 Gospel Matthew 2:1-12 Ματθαῖον 2:1-12 Christmas Pageant with Sunday and Greek School Students Sunday Dec. 18 th SERVICES (unless otherwise stated) Sunday Orthros 9:00 A.M. Divine Liturgy 10:00 A.M. CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE DIVINE LITURGY 10 AM The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior The Nativity of Christ came to pass when Herod the Great was reigning in Judea. He had received his authority from the Roman emperors, and had ruled tyrannically over the Jewish people for some thirty-three years. The tribe of Judah was deprived of its rights and stripped of all rule and authority. Such was the condition of the Jews when the awaited Messiah was born. Thus, our Saviour was born in Bethlehem, a city of Judea. Joseph had traveled from Nazareth of Galilee, taking Mary his betrothed, who was great with child, that, they might be registered in the census of those subject to Rome. Therefore, when the time came for the Virgin to give birth, and since because of the great multitude there was no place in the inn, the Virgin's circumstance constrained them to enter a cave which was near Bethlehem. Having as shelter a stable of irrational beasts, she gave birth there, and swaddled the Infant and laid Him in the manger. But while the earth gave the new-born Saviour such a humble reception, Heaven on high celebrated majestically His world-saving coming. A wondrous star, shining with uncommon brightness and following a strange course, led Magi from the East to Bethlehem to worship the new-born King. Certain shepherds who were in the area of Bethlehem, who kept watch while tending their sheep, were suddenly surrounded by an extraordinary light, and they saw before them an Angel who proclaimed to them the good tidings of the Lord's joyous Nativity. And straightway, together with this Angel, they beheld and heard a whole host of the Heavenly Powers praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men" (Luke 2:8-14). Last Restoration-New Roof In preparation for the new iconography, a decision to do a final roof church inspection revealed that some of the underlining plywood rotting. Since it has been at least 35 years since a total overhaul of the roof, an emergency meeting of the executive board was held. Four bids for the new roof were obtained and a decision to change the roof now in the last part of 2016 was made based upon the most competitive bid. The total price is of repair $150,000. From the outside the roof will have the same appearance of the red tiles, but the double membrane seal will insure no leakage. The first $100,000 of the restoration is being paid by an anonymous donor. The balance due in this Spring and will hopefully come from other private donors. So please, if you can find it in your hearts to give a little extra to the church to help pay for our new roof for the next generation ANY amount of contribution will be accepted. Please submit your contributions to the church and mark your check NEW ROOF. Εορτασμος της ημερας του ΟΧΙ απο το Ελληνικο Σχολειο του Αγιου Δημητριου Την Κυριακη 6 Νοεμβριου, 2016, τα παιδια του Ελληνικου μας σχολειου γιορτασαν την 28η Οκτωβριου, την ημερα του ΟΧΙ, μετα την Θεια Λειτουργια κατω στην αιθουσα της εκκλησιας μας. Παρευρεθηκαν εκει πολλοι παροικοι, επισκεπτες και φιλοι για να καμαρωσουν τα παιδια του σχολειου, που με υπερηφανεια και χαρα απηγγειλαν τα ποιηματα τους. Στο τελος η αξιοτιμη προεδρος της εκκλησιας μας, Μαρινα Κοροδημα, επαινεσε και συνεχαρη τα παιδια και την δασκαλα τους, Κυρια Αλεξανδρα Βελμαχου για την ωραια εορτη. Και του χρονου!

2 Page2 Message from Father George They went home by a different way. The Magi went home by a different way. King Herod had seen them on their way to Bethlehem and he told them to return to him, after they had seen the Christ. But the Magi were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, but to go home a different way. The Fathers of the Church find great symbolism in this different way. The Magi came to Christ as pagans who worshipped the stars. But they went home by a different way. They were changed. They were new. They were now followers of the One True God. We also need to go home by a different way this Christmas. We may come to the feast of Christmas borne down by bad habits, by habits that do not direct us toward God. We must become new. We must be changed. We must go home a different way. If we go home a different way, if we resolve to be new, the God who loves us and is waiting for us to turn to Him will welcome us with the open arms of the loving child born in a manger and then offer us the tender love of a true parent, the love of the One True God. Ένα μήνυμα από To Πατέρ Γεώργιο "Πήγαν στο σπίτι με έναν διαφορετικό τρόπο." Οι Μάγοι πήγε στο σπίτι με έναν διαφορετικό τρόπο. Ο βασιλιάς Ηρώδης τους είχε δει στο δρόμο τους προς τη Βηθλεέμ και τους είπε να επιστρέψει σ 'αυτόν, αφού είχαν δει τον Χριστό. Αλλά οι Μάγοι είχαν προειδοποιηθεί σε ένα όνειρο να μην πάνε πίσω στον Ηρώδη, αλλά να πάει στο σπίτι "με διαφορετικό τρόπο." Οι Πατέρες της Εκκλησίας βρείτε μεγάλη συμβολισμός σε αυτό το "διαφορετικό τρόπο." Οι Μάγοι ήρθαν στο Χριστό ως ειδωλολάτρες που λάτρευαν το αστέρια. Αλλά πήγε στο σπίτι με έναν διαφορετικό τρόπο. Είχαν αλλάξει. Ήταν νέα. Τώρα ήταν οπαδοί του έναν αληθινό Θεό. Πρέπει, επίσης, να πάει στο σπίτι»με έναν διαφορετικό τρόπο" αυτά τα Χριστούγεννα. Εμείς μπορεί να έρθει στη γιορτή των Χριστουγέννων βαρύνουν κάτω από κακές συνήθειες, από τις συνήθειες που δεν μας κατευθύνουν προς τον Θεό. Εμείς πρέπει να γίνει νέα. Θα πρέπει να αλλάξει. Πρέπει να πάει στο σπίτι με διαφορετικό τρόπο. Αν πάμε στο σπίτι ένα διαφορετικό τρόπο. Αν αποφασίσουμε να είναι νέα, ο Θεός που μας αγαπά και μας περιμένει να γυρίσει σ 'Αυτόν θα μας καλωσορίσουν με τις ανοικτές αγκάλες της αγάπης παιδί που γεννήθηκε σε μια φάτνη, και στη συνέχεια να μας προσφέρουν την αγάπη προσφορά ενός αληθινού γονέα, η η αγάπη του ενός αληθινού Θεού.

3 Page3 Parish Council Marina Corodemus President Spero Kalambakis Vice President Dino Kusulas - Treasurer Helen Horan Secretary Atef Anthony Azouz Steve Corodemus Elizabeth DaCunha Kateina Ganiaris Nick Giannakopoulos Afroula Kanellidis Michael Koudis Maria Mantoudakis Irene Pakis Alex Vosinas Philoptochos President Stella Wacker G.O.Y.A. President Rachael Giannakopoulos G.O.Y.A. Advisors Nick & Cindy Giannakopoulos P.T.O. President Liz DaCunha Greek School Teacher Alexandra Velmahos Greek School President Marina Corodemus Sunday School Superintendent Helen Horan Choir Director Helen Vassallo Kernizan Chantor Stavros Tsapatsaris Deadline for submissions for the January 2017 Bulletin is December 10, Support the monthly newsletter. Submit your photo-ready business card today. For more details about ad rates please contact stdgoa@gmail.com. NEWSLETTER EDITORIAL BOARD Fr. George Parsenios Marina Corodemus Dino Kusulas Maria Kakadelis Mary Lou Rivera Sylvia Kress - Director of Advertising PRESIDENT S MESSAGE DECEMBER Thessalonians 5:15 18 Thankfulness, God's will for you. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. This is my last letter to you as President of Saint Demetrios for the term. I can only say how thankful I am to all of you. Thankful to Rev. Fr. George for re-igniting a wonderful spirit in this church and for his beautiful family who has delighted and energized us all. Thank you to my Parish Council who more often than not, has held faithfully with me in redirecting this church to a stable economy, physical structure and positive ministry. Thank you to the staff from Rueben keeping our church spotless, to Froso setting up all our special programs in and outside the office, to Mrs. Alexandra for reopening our Greek School and teaching our language to yet another generation and to the parents/grandparents who bring the children. To Helen Horan, and her Sunday School teachers who run a more structured and growing place of religious learning. I am thankful to the G.O.Y.A. who keeps going and does us so proudly throughout the State. To Mr. Sotiri and his grandson Andrew for their hours, days and years of faithful service at the altar. To our beloved Chanter Stavros Tsipatasris who leads us on soulful prayer, as his music fills our church. I thank Helen Vasallo for coming in to rebuild and succeed in enhancing our choir with all the faithful that volunteer their time and talents. I am grateful to the seniors who are our treasures of loyalty and examples of service. I am grateful for Zeffie Filandras and all the ladies that beautify our church with countless flowers. I thank the Philoptochos for all they do behind the scenes. I thank Metropolitan Evangelos who did not lose faith or trust in us, praying for and acting in favor of our church s growth. We thank him for recognizing and publically heralding Perth Amboy is on its way BACK! I thank the individuals who have called me, written to me or stopped me at church to thank me for all this Parish Council has done for this church in the last two years. For those of you I may have offended, hurt, not responded adequately or incorrectly, I humbly ask your forgiveness. Please know that all we have done has been in a positive way and has been for the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that any good done was only through the intervention of our Most Blessed Lady Theotokos and our patron Saint Demetrios from prayers at Paraklysis. As we look forward to the joyous celebration of our 100 th Anniversary in 2017, I thank you for the privilege of being your President and pledge to continue to serve wherever and whenever the church has a need. With Spiritual love in the Lord Jesus Christ, Hon. Marina Corodemus, Board President COMMUNITY UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES NEW ICONOGRAPHY AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING

4 Page4 ΜΗΝΥΜΑ ΤΗΣ ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟΥ Αγαπητοι ενοριτες, Αυτη ειναι η τελευταια επιστολη που σας γραφω ως Προεδρος του Αγιου Δημητριου για το ετος Ειμαι πολυ ευγνωμων σε ολους σας και στον Αιδεσιμοτατο Πατερα Γιωργο Παρσενιο για το υπεροχο πνευμα που εχει φερει στην Εκκλησια μας και για την ομορφη οικογενεια του που εχει φερει χαρα σε ολους μας. Ευχαριστω το πιστο και ακουραστο Συμβουλιο της Ενοριας μας, το Ρουμπεν που κραταει την εκκλησια μας πεντακαθαρη και τελεια, την Φροσω για την εργασια της για ολα τα προγραμματα της Εκκλησιας μας. Ευχαριστω την Κυρια Αλεξανδρα για την επαναλειτουργια του Ελληνικου Σχολειου μας και για τη διαδρομη της διδασκαλιας της γλωσσας μας και στους γονεις, παππουδες/γιαγιαδες που φερνουν τα παιδια τους στο σχολειο, την Ελενη Χοραν και τις δασκαλες του Κατηχητικου Σχολειου εθελοντικα επενδυονται για την πνευματικη ζωη των παιδιων μας, την Νεολαια που συνεχιζει να μας κανει υπερηφανους σε ολη την πολιτεια. Ευχαριστω τον Κυριο Δημητρη και τον εγγονο του, Ανδρεα, για τις ακουραστες ωρες και μερες στο ιερο, τον αγαπημενο μας Πρωτοψαλτη Σταυρο Τσιπατασρη που βρισκεται παντα για βοηθεια των ψαλμων στην Εκκλησια μας, την Ελενη Βασαλλο που ηρθε να βοηθησει τη χορωδια μας και τους πιστους μελλοντας της χορωδιας που μας προσφερουν εθελοντικα το χρονο και τα ταλεντα τους. Ευχαριστω τους Seniors που με τη σοφη γνωση τους μας κρατουν στο σωστο δρομο της θρησκειας μας, την Ζεφφη Φλανδρας και ολες τις κυριες που ομορφαινουν την εκκλησια μας με τα αμετρητα λουλουδια. Ευχαριστω την Φιλοπτωχο που ειναι το δεξι χερι της Εκκλησιας μας και ολες τις θρησκευτικες εκδηλωσεις. Θελω να σας απευθυνω ενα μεγαλο και θερμο ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ. Ευχαριστω το Σεβασμιωτατο Μητροπολιτη Ευαγγελο, ο οποιος δεν εχασε την πιστη και την εμπιστοσυνη σε μας ως εκκλησια. Τον ευχαριστουμε για την αναγνωριση "η Εκκλησια του Περθ Αμποϊ ειναι στο δρομο της επιστροφης!" Ευχαριστω ολους που μου εχουν τηλεφωνησει, εχουν γραψει γραμμα η με σταματησαν στην εκκλησια για να με ευχαριστησουν για ολα αυτα που εχει κανει το Κοινοτικο Συμβουλιο για την εκκλησια τα τελευταια δυο χρονια. Εν αν καποιος αισθανεται οτι τον εχω στεναχωρησει, ζητω συγνωμη. Ολα που εχουμε κανει ηταν για θετικο τροπο και για τη Δοξα του Κυριου μας Ιησου Χριστου. Πιστευω οτι το καθε καλο που εγινε ηταν με τις παρεμβασεις της Υπεραγιας Θεοτοκου, με την βοηθεια του προστατη μας Αγιο Δημητρη και απο της προσευχες της Παρακλησεις. Κοιταζοντας προς το μελλον για την χαρουμενη γιορτη της 100ης Επετειου μας του 2017, σας ευχαριστω για το προνομιο που μου δωσατε να υπηρετησω σαν Προεδρο σας. Σας δεσμευομαι οτι θα συνεχισω να εξυπηρετησω την εκκλησια του Αγιου Δημητριου εν αναγκη. Καλες γιορτες και ευτυχισμενος ο καινουργιος χρονος Με την αγαπη του Κυριου, Μαρινα Κοροδημα, Προεδρος

5 Page5 ST. DEMETRIOS LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY "Let us not get tired of doing good. As often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith." Galatians 6:9-10 Our Mission: To help the needy, promote the Greek Orthodox Faith Officers: Stella Wacker President Helen Catelanos -1 st Vice President Helen Suravlas 2 nd Vice President Mary Lou Rivera Recording Secretary Marietta Khalil Treasurer Irene Pakis Assistant Treasurer Afroula Kannelides Corresponding Secretary Board Members: Evelyn Mariolis Sultana Kizides Lynn Markus Angie Papaikonomou Joanne Xiadas Sylvia Kress Please Join us for a Philoptochos General Meeting 12 PM Saturday, Dec 17, 2016 CHURCH HALL DOWN STAIRS Everyone is Welcome We would love to have all of you join in our pursuit to help those in Need. If you are not a member yet it s not too late! Our drive for new members is on! Please join our chapter. On behalf of the Ladies Philoptochos, I wish you and your families Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. Up coming Events: December 18 th Bake sale. Please support us by buying baked goods and vasilopita. Information will soon follow. Vasilopita luncheon is January 8 th. All proceeds to benefit St. Basils Academy. Apokriatico Glendi on February 18th. A portion of the proceeds will go to the beautification of our church. Feeding the homeless in 2017 monthly event. The Philoptochos wanted to thank all the ladies of our church that baked and brought in desserts for the St. Demetrios Feast Day. THANK YOU!!! Φιλοπτώχου Γενική συνέλευση των μελών Σάββατο, 17 December :00 ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ to HALL Stella Wacker General Assembly Meeting The last General Assembly meeting of 2016, was held November 13. A report given by President Marina Corodemus to the community on the State of the Church included a slide show presentation of the church restoration and the following observations. The church is now: 1. Debt Free for the first time in over a decade. 2. Critical repairs to roof, plumbing, electrical and heating were made along with repairs to exterior and interior of the church. 3. New ministry plans including the hiring of Fr. George Parsenios, a professional choir Director, Initiated Paraklysis monthly, Vacation Bible school, added 7 altar boys. The full report and slide show can be seen on the church web page

6 Page6 Photos courtesy of Peter J. Christopoulos ST DEMETRIOS LECTURE SERIES KICKED OFF OCTOBER 15 TH WITH A STRONG TURN-OUT AS FATHER GEORGE SPEAKS ABOUT THE APOSTLE PAUL IN THE GREEK CITIES OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE Over 85 attendees including clergy, laity and theology students

7 Page7 Photos courtesy of Peter J. Christopoulos Video will be available on the internet in January

8 Page8 St. Demetrios Manger &Tree Lighting Ceremony We invite you to join us on Friday, December 16 for our annual St. Demetrios manger & tree lighting ceremony. Paraklysis to our Most Holy Theotokos will begin at 630 P.M. & our tree lighting ceremony will be directly after followed by a light dinner while we await the arrival of Santa and his elves. For more information & questions please feel free to contact our church office HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN EVANGELOS OF NEW JERSEY Cordially invites the Reverend Clergy and their families, Parish Council Members, Members of the Philoptochos Societies, Religious Education and Greek School Teachers and all heads of Parish Organizations, the Orthodox Faithful and Friends of the Metropolis to the ANNUALCHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING OPEN HOUSE Sunday, December 11, :00-9:00pm at the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey Headquarters 215 East Grove Street Westfield, NJ

9 Page9 GUS KRARAS 26 E. Lancaster Ave. Reading, PA (800) (610) FAX (610) Middlesex Avenue Metuchen, NJ (732) Green Street PO Box 24 Iselin, NJ (732) NEW BOARD NOMINATED On November 13, a duly constituted General Assembly was held with a Nominating committee elected and consisting of Ken Doukas-chair, Helen Catelanos and Stan Suravlas accepted 18 nominations. 18 parishioners were nominated for our 15 member Parish Council for the term however only 15 have accepted the nomination and agreed to stand for election. Although no one can lose, the Uniform Parish Regulations require that a vote be held. Ballots have been distributed, none the less, for a written vote. Please cast your vote for up to 15 when you receive your ballot. All ballots must be received at the Church by mail or in person by the closing date 12:30 PM Sunday, December 4, Upon receipt and review, the candidates will be certified by Fr. George and paper work will be submitted for the review and approval of Metropolitan Evangelos. Upon approval the new Parish Council will be sworn in for , during the month of January and thereafter the Parish council will meet with Fr. George to elect officers. The results will be announced to the parish by Fr. George.

10 Page10 If you can find it in your hearts, please give a little extra to the church to help pay for our new roof. ANY amount of contribution will be accepted. Please submit your contributions to the church and mark your check NEW ROOF. SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILBLE

11 Page11 ~ December 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Agios Nikolaos Divine Liturgy 10am St. Spyridon Divine Liturgy 10am 18 Christmas Pageant 25 Christmas Day **No Services Paraklesis 10am Seniors Luncheon 11:30 Church Hall catered 16 Paraklesis 6:30 PM Manger & Tree Lighting AM: Orthros and Great Hours Philoptochos Meeting 24 Christmas Eve 10 AM: Divine Liturgy 7:30 PM: Vespers, Orthros, Divine Liturgy for the Nativity of Christ Δεκεμβριος 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Αγιος Νικολαος Θεια Λειτοuργια 10:00 a.m Αγιος Σπυριδων Θεια Λειτοuργια 10:00 a.m. 18 Christmas Pageant 25 Χριστουγεννα Seniors Luncheon 11:30 Church Hall catered Παρακληση 10:00 a.m Φωτισμος Χριστουγεννιατικου Δεντρου, αναψυκτικα, επισκεψη απο τον Αγιο Βασιλη 630pm 17 Philoptochos Meeting Παραμονη Χριστουγεννων 10 a.m. Θεια Λειτοuργια Vespers 7:30 p.m

12 Page12 St Demetrios G.O.C Wisteria St Perth Amboy, N.J Please stop by the church office to buy your medal for Family and Friends Have you visited the St Demetrios Perth Amboy website lately? You can now make donations, and honor your stewardship commitment by making your payments on line at: St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Wisteria St. Perth Amboy, N.J Fr. George Parsenios Phone: (732) Cell: (609) FAX: (732) BUY YOUR ST. DEMETRIOS XMAS CARDS This year instead of having one Christmas card amongst us, we are offering Christmas cards of our own beautiful stained glass windows. We urge you to buy a pack of these beautiful cards to send to friends and family sharing the beauty of our church. All proceeds of this purchase, $20 for 15 cards, will go towards our 100th anniversary fund. Cards are available at the church office. Christmas Eve Services Divine Liturgy 10 AM We re on the Web! Visit us at: E -Mail : stdgoa@gmail.com Vasilopita luncheon is January 8th. Proceeds to benefit St. Basils Academy